Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Just up the hill from "The Flat" (West Woodstock) lies the remains of an 1800s farming community locally known as Cobb Hill. Sandwiched between Cabot Road and Prosper Road and along what is now called Grassy Lane are the cellar holes of the homesteads of Gaius Cobb and his neighbors.

The Woodstock History Center hosted a hike up to Vondell Reservoir, which is near where Elisha Raymond's mill once stood and just below the homesteads of George Grow, Charles Cobb and Gaius Cobb. The hike, complete with a self-guided trail map and posters for people to discover a little bit about the families that occupied this isolated part of Woodstock, included food, music, historical interpreters and a talk by Leslie Askwith author of "Thunder Struck Fiddler-The Remarkable True Story of Charles Morris Cobb and His Hill Farm Community in 1850s Vermont."

"Rum Street" seems to have been coined by Charles Morris Cobb. Charles was the only son of Gaius P. and Lucia Cobb and was born on Dec. 20, 1835. From 1850-1862, as a teenager, Charles kept a diary of his life on the farm and the social changes happening around him. It's believed he called road he lived on "Rum Street" because of the effect of rum on some of his neighbors.

In the 1930s, the Cobb homestead was sold. Mrs. Elbert Arnold of Northampton, Massachusetts purchased the 33 diaries written by Charles M. Cobb during the sale and then donated the diaries to Vermont Historical Society on Sept. 8, 1964.

Author Leslie Askwith used these diaries to research her book about Cobb and the other families that occupied this small part of Woodstock, Vt.. Local school teacher Barbara Drufovka spoke to the hikers about Spiritualism on "Rum Street." Drufovka used excerpts from Askwith's book to highlight the phenomenon of communicating with the spirits, which was popular activity around the country in the 19th century.

George Grow, a local medium, lived on "Rum Street" and was mentioned by Charles Cobb in his diaries. Charles was skeptical of George's ability to communicate with the dead and wrote extensively about the goings-on at the "meetings" where people would gather to communicate with departed relatives.

To aid in the spirits' communication, Gaius Cobb created a "rapping board." The board would be knocked on and the letters recorded as the message was received from the spirits. As a young man, Charles attended many of these sessions. Charles wrote on one occasion that another medium, Edward, was shaking and breathing heavily. An experience Charles wrote that was quite different from Grow's séances.

A geologist was on hand from the University of New Hampshire to speak about the geology and aquifer in this area. Professor Peter J. Thompson was available for people to look at old maps and ask questions. Most of the area is now in the Woodstock Town Forest, the Woodstock Aquaduct Company and privately owned land.

Elisha Raymond owned the mill on "Rum Street." It was used for lumber and cider making. His nieces Susan, Sylvia and Sarah, known as the Old Maids lived adjacent to Elisha's property and ran their farm themselves. Askwith's research turned up an 1850s census of the women. None were married and were between the ages of 33-45 years old. The may have been know as the Old Maids but their oxen were used by the neighbors to bring in wood and maintain the road.

During the long winters life on Cobb Hill didn't hibernate. According to the diaries many kitchen dances were held along with many games of checkers and other ways to pass the time. Both Gaius and Lucia were musicians and they past this love of music along to their son Charles. Gaius a was a skilled shoemaker but proved to be a poor farmer. The farm was sold in 1854 and Gaius went to work at the A.W. Whitney machine shop in West Woodstock. The family lived hand-to-mouth but always found money for musical instruments and lessons.

Charles was an accomplished musician and taught and performed in many local bands. In 1852, Charles joined the newly formed Woodstock Cornet Band. This remained the main focus of his musical career. To honor his musical heritage, local musicians Chloe Powell, Justin Park and Andy Mueller were on hand performing some traditional tunes.

Charles M. Cobb died on March 7, 1903 in the house where he was born leaving behind an estate the included some 400 acres around Vondell Reservoir. Get copy of Askwith's book, take a hike up the hill and look for the cellar holes and experience a little of what life might have been like on "Rum Street."

It's back to school time. Can you believe that summer is over? Where did the weeks go? So starting Thursday, Aug. 31-watch for school buses and be sure to leave more time for your morning commutes.

Weathersfield School news: The school will host a Welcome Back Coffee Hour Thursday Aug. 31 from 8-9 a.m. in the A.P. room. The Welcome Back school assembly will be Thursday Aug. 31 1:45 -2:15 p.m. A second service dog will be joining the school, be sure to notify the school if your child has allergies to dogs. For more information about the school and events, call 802-674-5400.

Horse and Mule Ride in Springfield, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2 and 3. Check in 8 a.m. Hartland Riding Club is hosting two rides each day at the Springfield Dam Ride (US Army Corps of Engineers North Springfield Lake) For more information contact Lisa Keeley, ride manager at 802-263-5323.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection in Springfield Saturday, Sept. 9 and 16 The Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District is sponsoring free events for the collection and safe disposal of household hazardous wastes for residents and small businesses from Andover, Athens, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Grafton, Ludlow, Plymouth, Reading, Rockingham, Springfield, Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Windsor. Businesses must pre-register and will be charged for disposal costs. The collections will be held at the Springfield Transfer Station from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on September 9 and at the Goodyear building in Windsor from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on September 16. Bring in a mercury fever thermometer and receive a new digital fever thermometer. For more information, call 674-9235 or visit www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org for a list of what to bring.

Friend of Weathersfield Proctor Library Meeting in Ascutney Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. Contact the library for more information.

2nd Annual Weathersfield Festival in Perkinsville Saturday, Sept. 30 Hoisington Field 8 a.m.-3p.m.. To learn more about the event, become a vendor or have other questions contact town manager, Ed Morris, at 802-674-2626.

Weathersfield Food Shelf in Perkinsville every Thursday from 2-3 p.m. Route 106 at the old Perkinsville Elementary School.

Low cost spay/neuter clinics in Springfield. Springfield Humane Society is hosting low cost spay/neuter clinics: Sept. 5, Oct. 24, Dec. 5 at the Springfield Humane Society, on Route 143. Cost is $50 for female cat and $40 for male cat. Weathersfield residents may be reimbursed up to $50 for the surgery with a limit of three pets per year. Get your SNAP form from the town office. Please call Springfield Humane Society for an appointment at 802-885-3997.

Valley Court Diversion Programs: Volunteers are needed in Weathersfield/Springfield areas to work with low level offenders in the community. The group meets once a month at the Springfield Police Department, your commitment will require about three hours a month. Training is provided. For more information please visit our website at vcdp.org or call Maureen at 281-5213.

Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney: Free. Sponsored by RSPV. Mondays and Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney. Classes are led by Sandy Lemois. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.

Weathersfield School news: There is a K-8 soccer clinic Saturday, Aug. 26 at 9:30 a.m.. School re-opens Thursday, Aug. 31. For more information about the school and events, call 802-674-5400.

Weathersfield Proctor Library news: The Kid's Summer Reading Program Wrap-up Celebration will be held Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. A drawing to win J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone illustrated by Jim Kay will be held too. For more information about the library, the Friends of Weathersfield Proctor Library or other questions call 802-674-2863.

I covered the Solar Eclipse for the Vermont Standard. The Montshire Museum hosted a Solar Eclipse Day and boy was it crowded!

My Concert Scene
If you read my column last week you saw that Brett Dennen played the Briggs Opera House. I photographed that showTuesday night. Wednesday night we went to Hartford Ct. to see Lucinda Williams. I didn't have a photo pass so I just enjoyed the show. "Lu" seemed to be having a great time on stage.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection in Springfield Saturday, Sept. 9 and 16 The Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District is sponsoring free events for the collection and safe disposal of household hazardous wastes for residents and small businesses from Andover, Athens, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Grafton, Ludlow, Plymouth, Reading, Rockingham, Springfield, Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Windsor. Businesses must pre-register and will be charged for disposal costs. The collections will be held at the Springfield Transfer Station from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on September 9 and at the Goodyear building in Windsor from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on September 16. Bring in a mercury fever thermometer and receive a new digital fever thermometer. For more information, call 674-9235 or visit www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org for a list of what to bring.

2nd Annual Weathersfield Festival in Perkinsville Saturday, Sept. 30 Hoisington Field 8 a.m.-3p.m.. To learn more about the event, become a vendor or have other questions contact town manager, Ed Morris, at 802-674-2626.

Veterans Chicken BBQ in Perkinsville Saturday, Sept. 30. Benefit for the Veterans Memorial Committee. Chicken dinners until they run out.

Weathersfield Food Shelf in Perkinsville every Thursday from 2-3 p.m. Route 106 at the old Perkinsville Elementary School.

Low cost spay/neuter clinics in Springfield. Springfield Humane Society is hosting low cost spay/neuter clinics: Sept. 5, Oct. 24, Dec. 5 at the Springfield Humane Society, on Route 143. Cost is $50 for female cat and $40 for male cat. Weathersfield residents may be reimbursed up to $50 for the surgery with a limit of three pets per year. Get your SNAP form from the town office. Please call Springfield Humane Society for an appointment at 802-885-3997.

Valley Court Diversion Programs: Volunteers are needed in Weathersfield/Springfield areas to work with low level offenders in the community. The group meets once a month at the Springfield Police Department, your commitment will require about three hours a month. Training is provided. For more information please visit our website at vcdp.org or call Maureen at 281-5213.

Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney: Free. Sponsored by RSPV. Mondays and Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney. Classes are led by Sandy Lemois. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

It's mid August, that means our first quarter tax payment is due. On a happier note, our peach trees are exploding with this yummy summer fruit. We are picking big bowls full daily now. Finally a super peach year is upon us. Reminder to all our school children-they probably don't want to hear this-but school starts Thursday, Aug. 31.

Tuesday night Brett played a benefit at the Briggs Opera House. The show's net proceeds went to support the restoration of the Lebanon Skate Park into the state of the art Rusty Berrings Skate Park on Glen RD in Lebanon, NH.

Weathersfield select board news: The select board received six bids for the new highway truck. The bid from J and B for the Western Star 4700SF in the amount of $96,148 was approved to purchase the cab and chassis. A request for bids on the body and plow will be going out soon. More information about the select board and the town, contact Town Manager, Ed Morris, at 802-674-2626 or townmanager@weathersfield.org.

Get Out and About Events

Solar Eclipse in the sky above us Aug. 21. We'll hopefully see a partial, about 60%, weather permitting, from 1:30-3 p.m.

2nd Annual Weathersfield Festival in Perkinsville Saturday, Sept. 30 Hoisington Field 8 a.m.-3p.m.. To learn more about the event, become a vendor or have other questions contact town manager, Ed Morris, at 802-674-2626.

Weathersfield Food Shelf in Perkinsville every Thursday from 2-3 p.m. Route 106 at the old Perkinsville Elementary School.

Low cost spay/neuter clinics in Springfield. Springfield Humane Society is hosting low cost spay/neuter clinics: Sept. 5, Oct. 24, Dec. 5 at the Springfield Humane Society, on Route 143. Cost is $50 for female cat and $40 for male cat. Weathersfield residents may be reimbursed up to $50 for the surgery with a limit of three pets per year. Get your SNAP form from the town office. Please call Springfield Humane Society for an appointment at 802-885-3997.

Valley Court Diversion Programs: Volunteers are needed in Weathersfield/Springfield areas to work with low level offenders in the community. The group meets once a month at the Springfield Police Department, your commitment will require about three hours a month. Training is provided. For more information please visit our website at vcdp.org or call Maureen at 281-5213.

Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney: Free. Sponsored by RSPV. Mondays and Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney. Classes are led by Sandy Lemois. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.

Monday, August 14, 2017

So you've picked some peaches. Now what? How about freezing them to enjoy at Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, or any cold rainy/snowy day this fall/winter.

Step 1. Make the Syrup

The syrup is really easy to make. I make mine in a 1:2 ratio. 1 Cup Sugar/2 Cups water. I usually make 10 -12 cups if I have a lot of peaches to freeze.
Measure out the water.
Add the Sugar.
Bring to a boil and set aside.
If you make too much, just put it in the fridge (about one week) and use it the next time you freeze peaches. My peach harvest usually lasts 3-4 weeks.

Step 2. Sort your peaches
I pick out the ones that are slightly soft to the touch and fairly pink

Step 3. Remove the Skin

Boil the peaches for a few minutes until you can see the skin shedding.

Step 4.Ice the peaches

Remove the peaches with a slotted spoon to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Give them a few minutes in the ice water.
To peel the skin just lightly rub the peach. The skin will slide off easily, if not pop it back in the boiling water for another minute then ice bath again.
Remove any bruises and slice the peach in half.

Step 5.Acid to prevent browning (oxidation)

Half the peaches, remove the pits, and trim off any bruises you can see.
Toss the peaches with a splash of lemon juice and sprinkle with Citric Acid or Fruit Fresh (both from Ball Canning--they sell them at KMart, Walmart or online.)

Let the peaches set a few minutes to absorb the acid. Some peaches may brown when you thaw them but they taste fine or you can just cut the brown part away before serving--it's just normal oxidation.

Step 6. Get ready to Freeze
Spoon the peaches into freezer safe containers and cover completely with the syrup.

Label the containers, let them cool if you used hot syrup, then pop them into your freezer (manual defrost freezers are best--no freeze/thaw cycles to prevent freezer burn)

When you are ready to eat them thaw them in your refrigerator about a day before serving. Great for ice cream toppings, Peach Bellinis and just plain old peaches for dessert!

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

A shout out to Lisa Curry Mair she received the highest award as traditional artisan in this year's Directory of Traditional American Crafts. Her work is showcased in the August 2017 edition of Early American Life magazine. Mair creates custom canvas murals and floorcloths using her own originals designs and she also reproduces classic floorcloths.

Weathersfield select board news: The select board met Monday, Aug. 7. Meeting highlights will be reported here next week. More information about the select board and the town, contact Town Manager, Ed Morris, at 802-674-2626 or townmanager@weathersfield.org.

Weathersfield School news: The school board meets on Monday, Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m. The is a K-8 soccer clinic Saturday, Aug. 26 at 9:30 a.m.. School re-opens Thursday, Aug. 31. For more information about the school and events, call 802-674-5400.

Weathersfield Proctor Library news: The Library Trustees meet on Thursday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.. For more information about the library, the Friends of Weathersfield Proctor Library or other questions call 802-674-2863.

On Saturday I covered the open house at ArtisTree's The Grange Theatre in Pomfret for the Vermont Standard. The Teago Grange Hall was renovated into a 100 seat air conditioned theatre space with state of the art lighting and sound.

2nd Annual Weathersfield Festival in Perkinsville Saturday, Sept. 30 Hoisington Field 8 a.m.-3p.m.. To learn more about the event, become a vendor or have other questions contact town manager, Ed Morris, at 802-674-2626.

Weathersfield Food Shelf in Perkinsville every Thursday from 2-3 p.m. Route 106 at the old Perkinsville Elementary School.

Low cost spay/neuter clinics in Springfield. Springfield Humane Society is hosting low cost spay/neuter clinics: Sept. 5, Oct. 24, Dec. 5 at the Springfield Humane Society, on Route 143. Cost is $50 for female cat and $40 for male cat. Weathersfield residents may be reimbursed up to $50 for the surgery with a limit of three pets per year. Get your SNAP form from the town office. Please call Springfield Humane Society for an appointment at 802-885-3997.

Valley Court Diversion Programs: Volunteers are needed in Weathersfield/Springfield areas to work with low level offenders in the community. The group meets once a month at the Springfield Police Department, your commitment will require about three hours a month. Training is provided. For more information please visit our website at vcdp.org or call Maureen at 281-5213.

Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney: Free. Sponsored by RSPV. Mondays and Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney. Classes are led by Sandy Lemois. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.